CHESTER, Va., March 9, 2012 – Carl Zeiss Sports Optics introduces the all new, super-bright VICTORY HT Riflescope line available in 1.1-4×24, 1.5-6×42, 2.5-10×50 and 3-12×56 models. These VICTORY HT 30mm riflescopes achieve an unprecedented light transmission of near 95% thanks to the state-of-the-art proprietary High Transmission (HT) glass by SCHOTT and enhanced T* multi-layer coatings. As a result, hunters with VICTORY HTs atop their rifles will experience a level of image brightness never seen before, giving them a distinct advantage in extreme low-light conditions. The VICTORY HT also comes with one of the most versatile reticles ever invented – Zeiss’ proprietary reticle # 60, featuring the world’s finest illuminated red dot for superior precision.

The illuminated reticle # 60 is non-magnifying in the second focal plane for minimum target coverage and activated by pulling out the knob on the left side of the scope. Turning the knob then controls the brightness, allowing for the most versatile levels of illumination. When the knob is simply pushed back in, the illumination turns off. The superior ergonomics of this system make it easy to operate while looking through the scope, even while wearing gloves. The illuminated dot is as easily visible in bright sunlight as it is in any low light conditions. This dot is so fine, it totally disappears when the illumination is turned off offering the shooter an absolute distraction- free sight picture. If the illumination knob is untouched for four hours, the illumination automatically shuts off to preserve battery life.

The VICTORY HT riflescopes are also designed with a notably slim ocular for a lower profile and come with Zeiss’ new ASV + turret for quick ballistic compensation. Each scope will have a complete set of ballistic rings for any hunting load, allowing for easy, fast and accurate target acquisition and distance compensation with a quick turn of the elevation turret.

VICTORY HT 1.1-4×24

With its large exit pupil and wide field of view on low power, this smallest VICTORY HT is perfect for any shooting requiring extremely fast target acquisition whether hunting dangerous game, shooting in a 3-Gun competition or use for tactical applications. When every second counts, the VICTORY HT 1.1-4×24 delivers fast, accurate results. Available with reticle # 54 or # 60.

VICTORY HT 1.5-6×42

This super-compact, low-profile scope is versatile and perfect for varied terrains – from heavy brush to open country stalking. The high-performance HT glass in this scope is a benchmark in low-light performance for 42mm riflescopes. Available with reticle # 60.

VICTORY HT 2.5-10×50

This low-profile, all-purpose scope squeezes the utmost light out of its 50mm objective – from dawn until dusk. This scope is as versatile as they come and, with the ultra-fine dot in reticle # 60 and state-of-the-art HT glass, it delivers unprecedented precision at longer distances. Available with reticle # 60.

VICTORY HT 3-12×56

The largest of the VICTORY HT line, this 3-12×56 makes targets visible in the very last of shooting light when conventional optics often fail. The combination of the advanced HT glass, high-performance 56MM objective lens, the super-fine illuminated dot and ASV+ turret option makes this scope deadly accurate at any distance in any light. Available with reticle # 60.

“Carl Zeiss has set a new standard once again,” said Michael A Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. “The VICTORY HT is the finest, highest-performance riflescope on the market today and once you’ve looked through one, you’ll see why. There is nothing comparable.”

The VICTORY HT riflescopes will be on display for the first time in the United States at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in St. Louis, Missouri, April 13-15, 2012 and available in stores in the third quarter.

Carl ZeissThe Carl Zeiss Group is a leading group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industries. Carl Zeiss offers innovative solutions for the future-oriented markets of Medical and Research Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Eye Care and Lifestyle Products. During fiscal year 2009/10 the group of companies generated revenues of around EUR 2.98 billion. From fiscal year 2010/11 onward, eyeglass lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss Vision will be integrated as an autonomous business group (revenues of EUR 880 million in fiscal year 2009/10). The Carl Zeiss Group now has approximately 24,000 employees, including more than 10,000 in Germany. The Carl Zeiss business groups hold leading positions in their markets. Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Carl Zeiss Sports OpticsCarl Zeiss Sports Optics is a leading, international provider of premium sports optics and part of the Consumer Optics / Optronics Group of Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of its state-of-the-art binoculars, spotting scopes, riflescopes and laser rangefinders throughout the United States and Canada. The North American headquarter is located in Chester, Virginia.

The new Nikon PROSTAFF Target EFR 3-9×40 is designed and engineered for .22 LR, air rifle and other applications where the versatility of focusing at extended ranges – both close and distant – is desired. The Target EFR uses the new Nikon Precision Reticle featuring a fine crosshair with dot and provides an adjustable objective lens that allows parallax adjustments, focusing from 10 meters to infinity.

The PROSTAFF Target EFR is enhanced by a Precision reticle and a 50-yard parallax setting for confidence and precision. Nikon coats all its lenses with multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds. The resulting fully multicoated lenses provide maximum brightness, contrast and light transmission. The Target EFR includes a large ocular with quick focus eyepiece. It also is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.

Available in matte finish, the Target EFR features ¼-inch adjustments at 50 yards with an incredible 80-MOA adjustment range at 100 yards. Zero-Reset turrets allow you to sight it in at 50 yards, then lift the spring-loaded adjustment knob, rotate to your “zero”, and re-engage.

Like all Nikon riflescopes, the PROSTAFF Target EFR is optimized for use with Nikon Spot On™ Ballistic Match Technology. The Spot On program provides users with exact aiming points on the BDC reticle for any load or ammunition at a specified range. Spot On can be purchased for iPhone, iPad and Android or utilized for free at nikonhunting.com/spoton.

Vortex optics offers a variety of optics for hunters and we have looked at some of their mid-level offerings in the past with the Diamondback series of riflescopes and binoculars. For this review we’ll be stepping it up a bit and will be taking a look at the Viper PST line of rifle scopes, specifically the 4-16x50mm with EBR-1 MOA reticle.

The Viper Precision Shooting Tactical (PST) line of scopes packs a lot of features that you would normally find in a tactical or long range shooting optic into a hunting scope. There are actually two versions of the 4-16x50mm, one with FFP (first focal plane) and our review model which is a SFP (second focal plane) scope.

The Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm Scope

The difference between first or second focal plane can be significant depending on how you use your scope. The Viper PST can be equipped with either an MRAD or MOA scope, both of which use equidistant hashes on the reticle to allow ranging distances to a target as well as quick, on-reticle bullet drop compensation. The big difference with an FFP scope is that the distance between hash marks does not change with power, while with a second focal plane scope the distance changes. For those that make a lot of magnification changes while using the reticle hashes for bullet drop compensation, will find the FFP easier to use. However many people will set the power and forget it, thus negating the main benefit of the FFP scope.

The power ring on the SFP model is marked with both magnification and
the multiplier for the reticle, making it easy to quickly figure out
how power changes effective the distance between the 2 MOA hashes.

Luckily Vortex has made it really easy to use their SFP scope and be able to quickly figure out how the subtension (the distance between hashes) is changing with magnification. For Vortex PST SFP scopes at the highest power (16x in the case of our review model) 1 MOA = 1 MOA, note that lower powers really isn’t that big of a deal since Vortex has designed the scope such that halving the power (8x setting) causes 1 MOA = 2 MOA. Decreasing to 4x setting causes 1 MOA = 4 MOA. Additionally the MOA multiplier is clearly marked on the power ring, so if you have to make a quick calculation it is easy to see what the current multiplier/power setting is directly on the ring.

The Viper PST EBR-1 MOA reticle.

The Viper PST uses external turrets for quick adjustments in 1/4 MOA clicks. The
knobs are aggressively knurled and are easy to grab and rotate. The red line on the
elevation turret is what Vortex calls a “radius bar” and marks the zero of the turret.

If your shooting style is such that you don’t change the magnification setting often, then go for the SFP which has a street price of $699 versus the $849 street price of the same scope in an FFP version.

The Viper PST line all come standard with an illuminated reticle which is bright and adjustable. Vortex has included a nice control knob that has “off” settings between light intensity levels, this allows a shooter to quickly turn off the illumination then turn it back on to the same level without going through the full range of the knob. The illumination is powered by a common 2032 size button cell battery.

The illumination knob alternates between light intensity changes and the “off” position denoted by a solid dot.

Side view of the parallax turret.

Another view of the turret system.

Ever have to do a lot of spinning up of your elevation knob to take a long shot, then, because of the number of rotations, forget your zero point? The Viper PSTs are equipped with a simple but effective solution for this common problem. Vortex’s CRS (Customizable Rotational Stop) is a simple system of shims that can be placed under the elevation turret and prevents spinning below a zero point. Simply zero the scope at a certain distance of your choice, then remove the elevation turret, and then install as many of the two piece shims as necessary below the turret to prevent spinning past the zero. Then line up the red “radius” bar with the zero when reinstalling the turret and you have a simple way of returning to zero after taking a long shot.

The two piece CRS shims go together around the base of turret once it has been removed to set a zero stop.

Vortex includes two manuals with the Viper PST, both of which are current and well written. One manual describes how to use the scope and the other is a primer on how to use MOA (minute of angle) or MRAD (milliradian) reticles. If you have ever purchased a scope with some variation of ballistic reticle then been puzzled over exactly how to use it, Vortex has stepped up and produced some good documentation so you’re not left hanging.

Vortex includes two manuals with the Viper PST to explain how to use the scope and the reticle it is equipped with.

The basic but functional included scope cover.

About the only thing that is sub-par on the Viper PST is the hard plastic scope cover. While it gets the job done, flip-up scope cap covers (such as those produced by Butler Creek) are preferable, but this is just being picky, and Vortex does throw in a sunshader with the scope which is a bonus. Overall the Viper PST series offers a high quality optic, with a variety of extra features for a reasonable $699, there are certainly other scopes that have a much higher price tag but don’t have quite the feature set of the PST. If you’re looking for a tactical style scope, with 30mm tube, you should consider the Viper PST line on your list of scopes to investigate.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Redfield® has added a 20-60x80mm model with angled eyepiece to its Rampage™ spotting scope line for hunters and wildlife observers seeking powerful optical performance at affordable prices. The 80mm objective lens delivers a quality image in a wide range of light conditions, especially at higher magnifications. With its 45-degree angle, the eyepiece provides enhanced comfort and ease of use.

“We introduced the Rampage series in 2010 when we revived the Redfield brand,” said Pat Mundy, communications manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The new 20-60x80mm model is a very affordable spotting scope that offers extreme magnification with the user-friendly benefits of an angled eyepiece.” The 20-60x range allows for an optimum balance of magnification and linear field of view, which is 105 feet (at 20x) to 52 feet (at 60x) at 1,000 yards.

Other Rampage spotting scope features include fully multicoated lenses and a premium BAK4 prism for outstanding image brightness, resolution and edge clarity. A retractable lens shade helps reduce glare. The tough polycarbonate body reduces weight to 43 ounces, and is nitrogen filled to make the spotter waterproof and fog proof in all field conditions. A twist-up/down eyecup comfortably accommodates users with or without eyeglasses. The standard 1/4-20 threaded tripod adapter allows for easy installation on any standard tripod or window mount.

Measuring 15 inches in length, the spotting scope has an exit pupil of 4.0 mm – 1.33 mm, and a close focus distance of 14.3 feet.

Rampage spotting scopes are covered by the Redfield Limited Lifetime Warranty. For more information, go to www.redfield.com.

Acquired by Leupold & Stevens, Inc. in 2008, Redfield is now a brand of the Oregon-based company. In addition to the Rampage spotting scope kits, the Redfield line includes Revolution™ and Revenge™ riflescopes, Rebel™ roof prism and Renegade™ Porro prism binoculars, and Raider™ rangefinders. The Redfield Gun Sight Company was founded in 1909 by John Hill Redfield. Over the years, Redfield became one of the leading American manufacturers of sports optics, known for the performance, ruggedness and reliability of its products. The new Redfield line upholds that tradition and is sold worldwide to hunters, shooters, wildlife observers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – All Leupold® Golden Ring® VX® riflescopes in the 2012 line feature the Quantum Optical System™ to maximize the light management capabilities and overall performance of each model.

“Our Quantum Optical System redefines the process by which Leupold builds variable- power riflescopes,” said Pat Mundy, communications manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It puts everything we have into our mission of building better riflescopes for hunters and shooters.”

The Quantum Optical System is applied to VX (variable power) riflescopes, according to the unique set of specifications, material requirements and performance expectations for each model. Working together to create the system are:

Teams of mechanical and optical scientists, engineers and product line managers who pool their industry-leading experience and expertise.

Application-specific lens coatings that help boost total light transmission up to 92 to 98 percent. These premium and proprietary anti-reflective coatings include Multicoat 4®, Index Matched and Xtended Twilight. Select models offer blackened lens edges to provide the highest resolution and contrast.

Precision assembly of riflescope components for maximum optical performance. Specialized design tools allow near-zero tolerance machining of mechanical system parts to help ensure that all fit and work together in perfect harmony.

For more information, visit a local dealer, go to www.leupold.com or call 1-800- LEUPOLD.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the preeminent American-owned optics company, employs hundreds of people in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Beaverton, Ore. Family owned and operated, Leupold offers products that are sold worldwide to hunters, competitive shooters, American military warfighters, law enforcement personnel and wildlife observers. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; trail cameras; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.

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Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a Charter Supporter of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Leupold® now offers more Custom Dial System (CDS®) models in its line of VX®-3 and VX-3L™ riflescopes for hunters seeking unmatched shooting precision.

With a VX-3/VX-3L CDS riflescope, hunters can quickly get on target by dialing the elevation to different sight-in ranges with a custom adjustment matched to specific ballistic information. CDS dials change out easily, providing flexibility with different loads and calibers. Leupold provides one CDS dial with each riflescope. All the new VX-3/VX-3L CDS models are 4.5-14x, an effective magnification range for a wide variety of hunting situations.

Pat Mundy, communications manager for Leupold & Stevens, Inc., explained, “When you purchase a CDS riflescope, contact us with your ballistic data and shipping information, then we’ll send you a dial custom built to match the caliber and load you are using. It’s as simple as that. There are no adjustment covers to lose and the CDS makes your VX-3 even more accurate and rugged.”

Another key feature is the Quantum Optical System™ which includes lead-free, precision- ground and edge blackened lenses with Leupold’s Xtended Twilight lens coatings for the highest level of light transmission and clarity. Carefully positioned in optimum relationship to each other, the lenses deliver up to 98 percent total light transmission. Exterior lens surfaces are coated with DiamondCoat 2™ for unsurpassed resistance to scratching and abrasion.

Other key riflescope features:

Leupold’s most durable Twin Bias Spring Erector System™ provides the utmost in mechanical reliability. It is built with up to 30 percent more holding force than competitive riflescopes to withstand the most intense recoil and abuse.
Lockable fast-focus eyepiece.
Second generation Argon/Krypton waterproofing and fog proofing. Enhanced thermal shock resistance.

New VX-3 CDS models include the 4.5-14x40mm Adjustable Objective, 4.5-14x40mm Side Focus, 4.5-14x50mm and 4.5-14x50mm Side Focus. The new CDS model in the VX-3L line, which has the special scooped crescent design of the objective lens, is the 4.5-14x56mm Side Focus. All come with Leupold’s Duplex® reticle.

VX-3/VX-3L riflescopes have a rugged one-piece maintube (one-inch or 30mm depending on model). Sporting Leupold’s familiar Golden Ring®, they are backed by the company’s Full Lifetime Guarantee.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the preeminent American-owned optics company, employs hundreds of people in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Beaverton, Ore. Family owned and operated, Leupold offers products that are sold worldwide to hunters, competitive shooters, American military warfighters, law enforcement personnel and wildlife observers. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; trail cameras; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.